"beloved, dear"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
David
Pronunciation: [ d-AYV-ihd ]
Does David flow with your last name?
The shepherd king — beloved across three faiths
Hebrew
English
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French
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Royal
Spiritual
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Meaning & Origin
"beloved, darling"
Origin: Hebrew Dawid from dod
Language: Hebrew
"friend, darling"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of David
David comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid,' derived from 'dod' meaning 'beloved' or 'dear.' In the Hebrew Bible, David is the second king of Israel, the slayer of Goliath, a poet who wrote many of the Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus. His story — from shepherd boy to king — is one of the most powerful narratives in world religion, giving David a name of profound spiritual weight across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
David was the #1 boys' name in the United States from 1954 to 1960 and remained a top-10 name for several decades. While it has settled into the top 25-30 today, it remains one of the most enduringly popular names in the English-speaking world, trusted across generations.
King David is venerated in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Michelangelo's David (1504) is considered the greatest sculpture of the Renaissance. The Star of David is the central symbol of Judaism and the modern state of Israel. Few names carry cultural weight across three major world religions as David does.
Historical Record
David first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 2,922,555 babies have been named David in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, David is past its peak , currently ranked #31 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- David was the #1 name in the US for 7 consecutive years in the 1950s and 1960s
- Michelangelo's David, carved from a single block of marble, stands 17 feet tall and took two years to complete
David in Other Languages
Arabic
Dawud
French
David
Hebrew
Dawid
Russian
David
Spanish
David
Popularity Over Time
#31
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1960
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named David
D
David Beckham
Athlete
1975
English football icon, co-owner of Inter Miami CF, and global cultural figure
D
David Bowie
Musician
1947
English rock star and cultural icon, known for Ziggy Stardust and decades of genre-defining music
D
David Attenborough
Other
1926
British broadcaster and natural historian behind Planet Earth
K
King David of Israel
Religious
Second king of the united Kingdom of Israel, author of Psalms, slayer of Goliath — one of the most important figures in ...
Second king of the united Kingdom of Israel, author of Psalms, slayer of Goliath — one of the most important figures in the Abrahamic religions
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Compare David with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #31
- Total SSA Count
- 7,317
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew English Spanish French Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Dave
Davie
Davo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, Hebrew heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for David
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
David is also used as a girl name, ranked #24355.
View David as a girl name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Germanic origin
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Latin Miles origin
"soldier"
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Jonathan
Boy
Hebrew (Yehonatan) origin
"God has given"
#83 in US
Aaron
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Egyptian origin
"teacher, messenger"
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Latin Julianus origin
"belonging to Julius"
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Frequently Asked Questions About David
What does the name David mean?
"beloved, dear" (from Hebrew). "beloved, darling" (from Hebrew Dawid from dod). "friend, darling" (from Hebrew). David comes from the Hebrew 'Dawid,' derived from 'dod' meaning 'beloved' or 'dear.' In the Hebrew Bible, David is the second king of Israel, the slayer of Goliath, a poet who wrote many of the Psalms, and an ancestor of Jesus. His story — from shepherd boy to king — is one of the most powerful narratives in world religion, giving David a name of profound spiritual weight across Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
What is the origin of the name David?
David has Hebrew, Hebrew Dawid from dod, English, Spanish, French, and Scottish origins. In Hebrew, it means "beloved, dear". In Hebrew Dawid from dod, it means "beloved, darling". In Hebrew, it means "friend, darling".
Is David a boy or girl name?
David is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #31. As a girl name, it is ranked #24355. David is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce David?
David is pronounced d-AYV-ihd.
How popular is the name David?
David is currently ranked #31 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for David?
Common nicknames for David include Dave, Davie, and Davo.
What are good middle names for David?
Popular middle name pairings include David James, David Michael, David Robert, David Thomas, David Andrew, and David John.
What are good sibling names for David?
Names that pair well with David as siblings include Jonathan, Hannah, Samuel, Rachel, Benjamin, and Sarah.
How many syllables does David have?
David has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is David a common or rare name?
David is a very popular name, ranked #31 among boy names in the United States.
What boy names are similar to David?
About the Name David
David is a boy name with Hebrew, English, Spanish, French, and Scottish origins . The name means "beloved, dear" in Hebrew .
Is David a boy or girl name? David is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #31 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #24,355. David is more commonly used as a boy name.
David is currently ranked #31 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name David has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-AYV-ihd, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for David include Dave, Davie, and Davo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of David include Davis, Davion, Davian, Davi, Davin . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis